Why You Should Be Writing at Night

From Jeff: This is a guest post by Jonathan Manor. Jonathan Manor is a dating and self improvement blogger. He is obnoxious, insecure, and above all else, awesome. He blogs at Evening Revolution. You can follow him on Twitter @JonathanManor.

Like most writers starting out, I thought that writing was an all day event.

From the moment you got out of bed, you were supposed to be sitting in front of your computer, until the moment you were heading back into bed. That’s simply not the best way to go around with writing.

Photo credit: Alex Kehr (Creative Commons)

The problem

Even though you’re devoting so much time to writing, you have to question what you’re getting out of it other than time consumption.

The next time you devote a whole day to writing, track down how many pages you wrote. After that, then question how many of those pages were good writing.

There’s a difference between cranking out pages of writing, and cranking out really good pages of writing.

A lot of great writers, authors, bloggers, and freelancers choose to spend their nights writing.

A few months ago, I read an article proposing that the best time to write was in the morning, before you get into the shower, before you step out of your pajamas, and even before you decide to brush your teeth.

On an empty stomach, when your mind was completely clear, this article said that that was the best time to write. If your mind is completely clear, wouldn’t it be clear of creativity too?

The reason that most writers — “good” writers — choose to write at night, is because their mornings, afternoons, and early evenings have filled their bodies with inspiration.

Not only is writing before you brush your teeth incredibly bad hygiene, but it makes writing become a race to the finish.

A race to the finish?

Writing should never be a race to the finish.

It should be a long immersion in a hot tub or a relaxing meditation.

Good writers write at night, because it’s devoid of distraction, there’s nothing else left to do in the day, there’s no one else to hurry to. It’s simply just you being yourself and pouring out the emotions that you’ve gathered from your day time experience and using that creativity to create something beautiful and interesting.

I, personally, designate a time to write “good” pages between the hours of 10:30pm to 3:00am. At a certain point of my writing career, I decided to get a normal day job working part time for a interior decorating store and it’s been the most valuable decision I’ve ever made for my writing.

I get paid minimum wage to stare at people, talk to people, and savor what it’s like to have a normal life. It’s more productive than staring at a computer monitor every morning hoping for inspiration to come.

Getting to bed by 3:00am gives me the opportunity for a healthy night’s sleep where I could wake up at 10am and get to work by noon. Sleep is important, never skip out on sleep, meals, and play time.

Designating a writing shift gives you the opportunity for all three of these things.

Getting the Most Out of Night Writing

If you want to try writing at night, here’s how you can spend those evenings:

1. Have a plan

Whether you’re a freelance writer, author, or blogger, it’s always good to have a plan. J.K. Rowling, the author to the Harry Potter series, writes outlines to her chapters on a piece of binder paper before she starts writing.

This type of planning is important because it provides the writer with a direction and keeps them focused.

2. Take breaks

It may seem appealing to want to spend every minute of your designated writing time purely writing. However, fighting off starvation isn’t going to help.

Geoff Colvin states in his book, Talent is Overrated, that the most prestigious violin players choose to practice for two or three sessions of an hour and a half with breaks in between.

3. Just write

The hardest part of writing isn’t the sitting down part. It’s not the part where you open up your laptop. It’s where you finally push out your first few sentences and build momentum that’ll fuel the rest of your work.

By planning what you’ll be writing ahead of time, the only real work you’ll have to put in is getting that first sentence to budge.

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young_missionary

As a night owl myself, I’ve always found it easier to write at night. I never thought about the fact that doing so meant I’d had a full day of input to draw from though. It’s a good point-beats the heck out of getting up at the crack of dawn and staring at a blank screen in a total daze.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I’ve spent so much time in front of blank screen that it’s tragic.

http://pathoftreasure.wordpress.com/ Anna

Writing at night is when I do the majority of my writing. It is free of distractions and for me, it is when creative ideas surface. My daytime “job” is that I’m a very busy mother of three and a home educator. I must write at night, but I also choose to do so, and enjoy it. While following a 3 am bedtime and 10 am wake-up type of schedule is impractical for me, I like your ideas here for maintaining a job and writing at night and would think it would be a beneficial idea for writers out there.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

It’s great to designate a time to write, because even if you don’t start writing at some point during the day, it pushes you to squeeze something out between those hours. It’s a good practice. The author to Eat Pray Love says some days she doesn’t have a muse. Some days she shows up for work at her desk and says, if my muse isn’t there that’s fine, I’m still going to show up for work. And she writes.

http://thebleedinginkwell.com Brian B Baker

I write better at certain times of the day, but my day job only allows me to write between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.

I write well between these hours and have a lot of production. I never thought of taking a break every hour and half. I think that is a great idea.

Great post Jeff.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I take a break to eat. Eating is awesome! Dying on a computer, not so much. I tried writing and texting yesterday. It’s a good experiment. It helps you break away from the creative world and then come back to it.

http://thebleedinginkwell.com B.B. Baker

Not sure why I didn’t see this was a guest post, sorry about that Johnathan.
I keep a supply of Flipz chocolate covered pretzels at my writing desk so I wouldn’t leave my desk and walk around the house or anything else to get away from writing. But will start taking breaks to let my brain recharge.

I will need to give this some thought. I do write at night but not predominantly. I have never been a night owl. I would much prefer to wake up at 5:00am or even earlier to write. I’ve always struggled staying up past 11 or so at night. In college, when others would pull all nighters I could not do it. Still can’t. I might not have as much to draw from in the morning but I feel fresher and my thoughts seem clear. Perhaps, I just need to switch from decaf to reg coffee in the evening.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

Every morning, I wake up for work at 8am. I usually leave work at 2 or 3 pm given what day it is. Then I end up in the library to read just enough to grasp the flow of writing I’m trying to get inspired from. That ends at about 5 to 7. I take a bike ride home; 30 minutes. Whether or not I take a nap, that’s when I start writing. I’m finished, done. Sometimes I wait until my designated writing time, but I don’t have to. Sometimes I just go.

http://morellian.tumblr.com/ David Huntington

Being a college student the situation is reversed. Night time is the most distracting part of the day. So the mornings usually work best for me.

Mornings seem to glow, don’t they? A brief walk outside in the morning, dew, fresh sun – that’s enough inspiration for me. I’m not entirely convinced that having the events of a day swirling around in one’s head is a good thing. But everyone’s different.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

That’s interesting. I use to be nocturnal and would miss so much of my day life because of it, so I can assume you’d be missing out on a lot of your experiences at night if you were at college. Good point!

http://beckfarfromhome.blogspot.com/ Beck Gambill

I’ve pulled a couple of all nighters this summer when the writing juices were flowing. It’s not practical for me on a regular basis with two children and a family to care for all day though. I also find that mid-mornings are generally my productive time. I love mornings, actually that’s when my imagination kicks into overdrive. I’m fighting fatigue by 10pm and when I write then I find I’m less productive and wear myself out.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I haven’t found my imagination to be riveting in the morning. It’s mostly lazy and my back usually hurts. And I’m hungry.

Anonymous

I think when one writes is very much tied to what works best for a given individual. Certainly, if the day job mandates that you’ve got night writing hours or no hours, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to so. But man, I am definitely spent by 10 pm and by midnight I’m dead to the world unless you count bleary-eyed video gaming (and even that’s less common these days). I can totally get behind the idea of not writing all day to consider it a ‘writing day’, though. I just can’t wait until the late hours or I’m just toast.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

My hours don’t have to be your hours. My 10:30 to 2am, aren’t set in stone. I write when I’m done with work and done catching up with my reading. As for me that’s all there is in the way of my writing. When that’s done, I have a haven for me to write with no distractions.

susie lindau

Okay so I love the idea of writing at night, but c’mon your clock is just shifted. You are really writing until 11 my time and getting up at 6. I write anytime I am inspired. For me it is time sensitive.
I also think there are as many writing styles as there are people. I tried the Rowlings lay chapters out first and it about killed the creative process of writing for me.
In my opinion we shouldn’t over think the process, but just do it!
Great post!

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I use to think that, and I’m not saying you shouldn’t. But I did feel like I was writing aimlessly. I’m currently using Rowling’s method and it’s working very well for me. I think you should feel it out and figure out what techniques and methods work for you and share those techniques because they might work for other people.

Anonymous

I do my best writing at night, but struggle to keep a “real person” schedule when I do so. Lately, if I feel inspired at night I take the laptop to bed, and I’ve actually done some decent writing propped against pillows with my husband snoozing beside me. But I still can’t bring myself to stay up later than 1 or so like I used to. I do miss it and it’s worth experimenting with more if it truly produces better work.

[brynnabegins.com]

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

Indeed! I’d like to experiment more with it, as well.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I think experimentation is the key. When I freelanced wrote and wrote against a clock, I didn’t care what I was writing. All I cared about was that I was getting paid to write mediocre stuff. When I truly care about my writing, I’ll critique and perfect every sentence, and even every word. With my books, my blogs, my guest posts, and anything that truly defines what I am through what I say, where I have a name, a place, and an identity, that’s when I let myself become vulnerable.

Anonymous

Thanks Jonathan. I tend to write really early in the morning, primarily because that’s when I’m freshest, and when the world is still quiet. You make an interesting point about inspiration though. I carry a notebook with me and jot down all my inspirations during the day – then when i come to write in the morning it’s all there for me. I know that many writers prefer to write at night. Me, I prefer the mornings.

Steve

Susan Bailey

Evernote on my iPod makes a great notebook, love it!

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

ditto

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I did that yesterday when I walked through a park. However, I didn’t end up writing anything down. I planned on writing the outline for the next few chapters that I needed to write, but instead I figured out things like dialogue, names, different aspects and angles that I need to incorporate.

Mike

I thoroughly agree with your thoughts on writing in the morning – whenever I have a ‘deadline’, place to be, stuff to get done, whatever – I just can’t relax into writing properly. This is what I love about writing at night, after about 10pm when the house is quiet I can write, pace the floor, ponder, read, stare into space and write again without any interruptions or distractions. And, as you say, I have a whole day of musings to draw upon.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

Thank you Mike.

I do spend a lot of my time listening to music, which is supposed to be on right now but both Pandora and LastFM are being jerks. It’s good to have other activities other than focusing your whole life on what you’re going to write about. I think if you focus too much on your writing, you’ll find it hard to expand your creativity.

http://worshipliving.com Adam Ranck

Yes. I have to admit that if I got up early to write, my mind would totally be fuzzy and only garble would come out. Then again, that could be the start of one of the most random and entertaining blogs ever, haha.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

Interesting. I could picture a blog where people got super drunk or hungover and started writing letters to their boss and posting about it. That would be a great idea for a blog! Very entertaining indeed.

http://worshipliving.com Adam Ranck

Haha. And that would be the end of that person’s real job too. Thanks for writing.

Anonymous

I agree that writing at night produces some of the best results ever. After an entire day of activity, the night is a good time for reflection and new ideas.

However, I disagree that we can’t produce great stuff the moment we wake up.

I used to come up with the most interesting theories and content while on my way to fitness bootcamp at 630am. For some reason, cranky drowsiness appeals to the neuroticism in me.

Perhaps, it would be better to say that writers produce the best content when they are raw and haven’t had a bit of human communication ( thus dilution) yet. Just my two cents!

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I have to say, I did articulate some dreams I had before they faded from my mind. I feel like some of those writings are really well done. Sometimes my best writing comes when I get straight out of the shower since I do a lot of thinking in the shower.

Scott Wozniak

Scientific studies show that everyone exhibits three basic sleep patterns and that they persist throughout our lives much like a personality type. Each type (early morning, midday, late night) has a portion of the day when their brain is at its best. This post could have been used in those books/articles on sleep as an example of a classic night owl (the times listed are a perfect example of the preferred pattern and optimal thinking time for a night owl).

I’m a night owl myself, so I could easily nod along with this post. But it’s not really a post about writing. It’s a post about Jonathan’s preferred sleep & work pattern.

Someday, when my small children don’t require me to get up early to be a part of their lives, I look forward to working on a similar schedule.

Marcus O’Rion

best response I’ve read. nice!

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

It’s a good response.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

That’s an interesting way to look at it. This could be my explanation for how my writing works with my sleeping patterns. However, night writing isn’t just about writing at night, it’s about writing when there are no more errands to run during the day and you could fully immerse yourself in your writing without having to deal with anything else during the day.

http://www.facebook.com/christine.kylemoore Christine Kyle Moore

The night is solitary.

sylviaseyz

Exactly. And solitude is great for creativity.

William Brust

What’s weird for me is that if I try and wake up at six or eight, I’ll feel groggy and irritable. If I wake up at four, I’m usually raring to go.

http://www.sundijo.com Sundi Jo Graham

I have experienced the creativity of this lately. Sitting in my pajamas, with a cup of hot tea next to the bed, I seem to focus a little better. People aren’t talking to me online. I’m not obsessed with the latest tweet or who’s doing what on Facebook. It’s just me, the keyboard, and some relaxing music in the background. Makes for some productive work.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I am currently doing the same thing.

I do prefer a minimalistic approach when I’m doing writing. I close my tweetdeck, I close all the windows except for the document I’m working on. I should really turn off my phone too. This gives me a path to focus better. It’s a lot more refreshing and a lot less distracting.

http://jonstolpe.wordpress.com Jon Stolpe

I write in my journal at night. Sometimes that gets translated to my blog in the morning. A lot of my blogging is composed throughout the day in my head and put to “paper” in the morning – before work.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

Same here.

In a previous comment I went over how I spend my time thinking about the characters and plot lines in the book that I’m currently writing. Then at night, when I come back from work or reading at a bookstore, (it’s very important to keep up with your reading) I throw myself into my writing and get as far as I can.

http://successbeginstoday.org/wordpress John Richardson

As a fiction writer with a hectic day job, I can only imagine what my writing would be like at 11pm (If I could stay awake that long). I prefer the mornings, where my mind is clear, the house is quiet, and that first cup of coffee starts the creativity flowing.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

Unfortunately, I have a medical issue that doesn’t let me drink caffeine so I wouldn’t have any idea how coffee is able to push forward a muse. But, that does sound intriguing.

I don’t think I think that much while I eat. However, I do think a lot during showers, while walking to the store, and riding my bike. (I think people should ride bikes because it’s less stressful and gives you more time with your thoughts) I have found that the 7 minutes it takes to take a shower in the morning sometimes gives me enough ambition to write something down worth reading.

http://whatthisgirllearns.blogspot.com/ Misty

That’s so interesting! I do all my writing at night. In the dark and quiet, after the day’s activities, I feel like my guard is down, and I write more freely and honestly.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I actually don’t write at night. I set my computer to the lowest brightness and turn the light on behind me.

It’s good to be vulnerable when you write. I think people who are able to rant and express their feelings have a better light of creativity.

http://www.joannecipressi.com Joanne Cipressi

I write at various times during the day depending when inspiration strikes or when I have the time. As a personal coach, owner of several blogs, writing a book, and a single mom…as well as the rest of life…I take the time to write whenever possible.

Writing at night, however, is when I tend to write my deepest thoughts because I am uninterrupted as my girls are asleep. I often stay awake till 3 in the morning…last night 4AM. However, I have to wake up early for my lovely little ladies. Thankfully, I have much energy and ambition.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I think it’s very important to wake up in the morning. There’s a point during your writing where you know you could keep going but have to measure whether it would be fair to yourself to starve or keep yourself from sleeping. Writing shouldn’t be an unhealthy habit.

Marcus O’Rion

while there may be a percentage of writers who write at night, using the word “should” is quite misleading. As a professional writer, I do my very best writing between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. That’s when my motivation is highest, there are fewer distractions, and I’ve had all day to plan the writing session. Many of my writing friends are best early in the morning, before the world awakens. For those who find writing at night useful, more power to ya. For everyone else? The best time to write is when you’re feeling it…whenever that may be.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

Agreed. But only because the fewest distractions for me, personally, is at night. So it works hand in hand pretty much.

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

Agreed, Marcus. But if the title read “Why You Can Write Whenever You Feel Like It” would you have been inclined to read it?

http://KatieAx.blogspot.com Katie Axelson

Long ago I learned that writing at night is most productive for me. I can sit and stare at the computer screen accomplishing nothing from 7 on but as soon as 10 hits, when I’m just starting to out going to bed early… BOOM productivity! I don’t really mind (as long as I didn’t have an 8am class and now that I don’t have a job).
Katie

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I’ve had those.

I’ve stayed up for 6 hours writing different articles and stories and found that I had to miss a doctor’s appointment in the morning because the time was 7am and the doctor’s appointment was 8:15am.

It was a pretty sad day.

http://daddybydefault.com Craig

I do my best work at night. Also, check out this study that was published in The Week (not sure how reputable they are) which shows that night owls are evolutionarily advanced, and more intelligent than those who go to be early and wake up early. http://theweek.com/article/index/209165/night-owls-vs-morning-people-whos-smarter

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

That article sounds like it came from It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. “DAYMAN! Fighter of the NIGHTMAN!”

I’ll have to reply the rest of the comments below before I read the article.

http://daddybydefault.com Craig Grella

It’s a quick read, but I’m not familiar with the publication. I’m a night owl and it’s content make me out to be smarter than I am, which is really why I like it.

Alice5403

At last something I feel able to comment on. Yes I have written reams at night, when I’ve been in distress, when I’ve been supremely happy, when there was no one else to talk to, when I couldn’t sleep, when I’ve been troubled, anxious, delirious. I realise that I do write best at night. Its when my day, my life comes tumbling out along with everyone else’s that I’ve been touching. You’re right there is much less distraction then. Keeping awake long enough is my only problem! The advice is good advice.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

Alice, you don’t have to wait until sunset to start writing. You just have to accomplish everything else that the day demands so you could sit at your desk in peace and start writing. That could be at 12 noon, early evening, or midnight. Whenever you have free time, free from anything else you need to do, is the best time to write.

http://shewritesandrights.blogspot.com Bethany Suckrow

Most times, I agree with you and really appreciate your encouragement and forthright attitude about writing. However, I think time of day is unique to the person. For example, Ernest Hemingway had very peculiar habits, and they obviously worked well for him. He had his desk (a standing desk, no less!) set up in his bedroom, and the first thing he did in the morning was wake up, walk over to his desk, and crank out 500 words. He began by handwriting it, and then he would type up a complete draft of what he had come up with that day. I can agree with points two and three, and I understand that writing late at night works for you, but it’s not that way for everyone. I think a big reason why so many writers struggle with creating a good workflow and schedule is because so many people have the habit of telling them they’re doing it wrong. Do what works best for you, late at night, early in the day, or mid-afternoon.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I do agree with you Bethany. Above all else, and this goes for any type of advice, you should simply find the rhythm, the style, the method, that works for yourself. Articles like this are just helping people find their direction.

http://jenwagenmaker.blogspot.com/ Jennifer

I recently quit my part-time job to stay home and take care of our children and to pursue publishing my first book. I am having a hard time, telling myself to shut down and not focus on writing. I feel like there are so many different avenues I could take towards allowing God to get the story out that He has written in my heart to tell… I enjoy reading your posts Jeff, thanks for carving out time to help direct others who thirst for more. Blessings.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

Thanks Jennifer. Not to disappoint you, but I wrote this specific blog post for Jeff. I’m Jonathan Manor, I like bunnies, and writing.

I spend a lot of my time thinking about what my characters will do in the story I’m writing. I think it’s just natural. People spend a lot of time thinking about the sports they play, or mastering video games, or whatever it is with their craft.

That’s money right there Jeff! I write at night about 90% of the time because I’m inspired throughout my day. If I were to write in the morning, I would only be able to type one sentence “I need COFFEE.”

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

Seems like a lot of people who prefer to write during the morning find it essential to have a cup of coffee.

http://lifeallin.net Jacob Musselman

I recently read a post about going to bed early and waking up early. And the author said it would make you more productive and that being a “night owl” is a learned behavior not a natural behavior. So I’ve been trying it…and failed miserably.

I’m glad being a night owl doesn’t have to be a disadvantage. That being said. The rest of the world (especially school, children, and most jobs) don’t easily accommodate such a schedule. Even so, I find myself more creative and productive after 4PM

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I don’t think being a night owl really makes you a better writer. I “do” think writing after getting everything done for that day does; which coincidentally falls into the night period.

The point I wanted to emphasize was that writing isn’t supposed to be something to cross of your list of things to do for the day. Writing was something to be immersed in, drowned in, a form of relaxation. It’s like playing video games when you were younger. You wanted to play video games, but you had to play video games after your chores and homework were done. Nobody scheduled video game time, or at least not on their own. People wanted to play video games until they were tired of it, not because they were running out of time to do other things.

That’s the same with writing. You don’t want it to have to end it simply because you have to pick up the kids at school.

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

amen to this!

Mo Pigeon

Whoever wrote that post was probably a morning dove. To a dove it is ‘natural’ to be up early. However, to we owls and hawks, writing late at night is our ‘natural behavior’. Indigenous tribes eons ago always had ‘keepers of the stories’, the history’s and story’s that taught, and these story-keepers told stories late into the night around the fires, beneath the stars, or in the large tee-pee around a fire at night. Story keepers have more often than not been night folk. I long ago decided to go with my own ‘natural’ flow. I’d rather live a contented, passionate, productive and deliciously happy life, than merely a long life allowing other people to tell me how I should be living my life: the life I was personally given as a gift to be lived by ME! May you follow your heart; live happy, live well…and there’s a good chance you’ll live long and enjoy the ride.

Hope Clark

I always write at night. I do the admin and research work in the day. Bedtime is around 3 AM. Best time in the world to write!

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

As I’m writing my book, I find that the only thing I think about during the day is how my characters and plotline will unfold. Then at night I attack my keyboard.

Marcy Kennedy

I’ve tried writing at night, but what I end up with takes me twice as long and is half as good. I’m just too tired from the day to produce anything worthwhile at that time.

I think it might be too broad a generalization to say “good writers write at night.” Good writers write during their key hours of productivity. That’s going to be different for everyone. I’m at my best from 1 pm to 5 pm in the afternoon. I know other writers who are at their best from 6 am to 8 am.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I could see that. But the title of this blog post is in a rather awkward frame. I mean to say that you should write at night because it’s free from distractions and free from other daily tasks. I guess I could’ve titled this blog posts, “Why You Should Blog While You’re Free And Not Doing Anything Else For The Day. . .”

It’s not very interesting.

http://www.thompsonkelly.wordpress.com Kelly Thompson

Great post! I have a full-time day job and a part-time weekend job so I do all of my writing at night – be it freelance, blogging or fiction. It’s quiet, I can work at my own pace, and I sometimes find it to be the most inspirational time of the day.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

This confirms my thoughts. You should be able to work at your pace when you write. Pacing yourself so you could get as much done before you have to do something makes for terrible half effort writing.

http://www.facebook.com/FrankCBlazik Caleb Christenson

Well written post. I launched my blog at night. Its the only time that I could find the most uninterrupted time to craft masterful posts.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I write most of my blog posts at night. Lately, I’ve just been posting what I write without proofreading it a million times, hoping that people might like it. I usually write an article, tweet it that night despite whether it’s 2am in the morning, and set a timer to tweet it at 6:15 in the morning. I like coming home from work seeing that a bunch of people have retweeted me. It makes me feel special.

DarleneCraviotto

I used to write at night. 10:30-3:00 are the best hours because most people are asleep. Writing seems effortless late at night: no distractions. I always thought of myself as some kind of creative Santa Claus toiling away at these stories—-my gifts to the world. And then I started getting paid to write. It’s amazing what a check for your words does to your writing. You don’t have time to wait for your muse to guide you seductively to the keyboard. You quickly learn that there are 24 hours in a day, and you fill as many of those hours (night or day) as you can with writing. Even.if.you.don’t.feel.motivated. Writing is a talent, a gift, but it’s also a skill that needs to be practiced and learned. The more you do it, the easier it gets. Those early years of late night writing prepared me for those deadlines, and revisions I later was asked to make as a professional writer. Find the hours that work the best for you, and let the words flow.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I did the same thing when I started freelancing. Starting out, I freelance wrote for 10 dollars for every 500 words. It became evident, that I really needed to speed up if I wanted to make a profit. I don’t do a lot of freelance writing anymore, but it was definitely a good experience to have. It really practiced my sense of endurance and my ability to mule myself forward.

http://barrypearman.blogspot.com/ Barry Pearman

I love the mornings to write, my wife likes the nights. We are wired differently. For me the mornings are fresh, a blank sheet to be explored.

So with a cup of coffee (a familiar comment in the posts) I grab my little netbook and settle into my Thinking Chair (a concept from John Maxwell’s book Thinking for a change) and open up a Freemind Mind Map and start outling. Often starting at 5am I am able to get a lot of creative thoughts down. Then I can fill in the rest of the detail later. thanks for sharing your thoughts Mr Owl, this Lark is just watching the sun arise!

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

Thinking! Another great point!

I can’t think in front of my computer. It hurts to do so. When I write, I explore the places and plots that I’ve already thought up throughout the day. I just go. Yesterday, I did my thinking as I walked laps around the park holding a notebook in my hand. I do a lot of thinking at work, A LOT. I’ve thought of character names and confined plots at work. I could never do my thinking on my keyboard. My keyboard is for movement.

Allison Hawkins

I’ve been a night owl all my life but can adjust to a 7 to 4 schedule. Luckily when I substitute teach, I’m done by 2 p.m. for hs and ms. I outline my novel and think about what I’m going to write during the day so it’s ready to be typed when I do sit down.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

You bring up a great point Allison!

OUTLINES FREAKING RULE!!!!

I’ve gotten so much done with my book because I outline the next few chapters before I write them. (yes, I’m currently writing a book) I’ve read that JK Rowling, the author to Harry Potter, outlines her chapters by using a piece of binder paper; 5 to 8 chapters on one piece of paper. I’ve followed her method and it’s worked very well for me.

http://www.FluentBrain.com Matt Tanguay

Indeed, I find that writing (and working in general) at night is very productive. At one point though, I just get too tired and I need to go to bed.

My productivity at night really depends on how tired I am. If my mind is still clear, I’m doing good. But if I lacked sleep for a few days in a row, I’m better off going to bed and writing the next morning.

Great post!

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I have found myself falling asleep while writing. It was like my writing was swerving and my sentences were falling apart. It’s best not to fall asleep at the keyboard.

http://www.FluentBrain.com Matt Tanguay

It’s scary when you’re falling asleep and you’re editing a document and saving it out of reflexes

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

It’s scary when you’re writing and falling asleep and that other writer swerves and almost collides into your writing and explodes. . .

Susan Bailey

I actually prefer writing first thing in the morning after that first cup of coffee. It gives me a lift and makes me very ambitious. At night I am SO done. Love his idea about immersion, so true. I also find that if I designate a place that’s sacred where I can write, it works like a dream. My sacred space is kind of strange, won’t share, but it sure works!

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I agree. What I’ve found out lately is that I also need to designate a specific place for me to read. That way I can really be pulled in.

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

I like this, too, but it needs to be before the sun rises!

http://www.tnealtarver.wordpress.com TNeal

I don’t write first thing in the morning but I tend to write best after breakfast. I also find getting out of the house makes a difference. I’m more productive at McDonald’s in the morning than at home at night. Don’t know why other than I procrastinate better at home and less in public. Writing for my blog can happen anytime but writing in general happens best in the AM.

I do a lot of my writing at night, and I definitely agree it’s the best time of the day. Sometimes I start out with topic or subject then, by that night I’ve encountered an event or topic that I’m super passionate about. It completely changes where I was originally going with the next days blog post.

Great article, and I’m definitely going to implement making better use of my time by writing “good” content.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

hahah sounds great!

http://www.madebydenise.net Denise Smedley

Glad I read this because I write at night and I’ve always thought I was doing myself a disservice by doing that.. like writing in the morning is always best.

I can relate to being hurried to finish during the day. That’s definitely a good point.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

Thanks Denise. You should write when ever, it’s just bad when you have to half heart it.

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

well said!

http://thomasmarkzuniga.com TMZ

This is interesting, because the dead of night has that allure of being this magical inspirational portion of time that goes unmatched with the rest of the day. But for me, whenever I get home from a long day of work/whatever, the last thing I want to do is write. When I’m online at night and see friends online, I want to chill and chat with them and eventually head to bed. I definitely prefer day-writing (once I get something in my belly and the film off my teeth), but that works out great for me since I usually have my days open before I tutor in the evenings. Love that we can all write inspired at various points in the day/night.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I’ve been writing between 7 and like 10ish as of late. It’s still pretty much counts as night time. Two days ago, I wrote a chapter in my book at about noon’ish. Any time works, but that time that I wrote at noon’ish I didn’t have any plans for the rest of the day and could fully draw myself into my world without being bothered.

Joni

AMEN! I hate mornings and I hate being around morning people. How someone can be cheerful and all smiles in the morning is something I cannot fathhom. Now that I have my “nest” all to myself it is wonderful to keep the hours that are best for me and my creativity. Yes, 10 pm to 3 am is ideal writing time, FOR ME. I have tried several times to take the “correct” advice to write first thing in the morning. I try not to ever SEE the morning if I can help it. Just the way I am made and it works great for me. When my house was full it was a different story. Thank you for this encouraging post!

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

No problem.

I can’t “fanthhom” writing when I’m completely clear in my head. That’s like shooting bullets with a banana. It just doesn’t make sense to me. I need ammunition, thoughts, inspiration.

It’s only because of a day job that I’ve had to curb my night-writing. During junior college, I was able to stay up all hours of the night and that’s when I was most prolific. I’m a night owl, and though I do carry around journals to use in the day or evening, I definitely miss my nightly writing. That’s when I can read aloud, act out my characters’ voices without embarrassment, and just make sure the writing flows.

http://eveningrevolution.com/ Jonathan Manor

I spend so much time listening to music and playing out battle scenes in my head. I’ve been doing it in my head ever since I was little. Nothing embarrassing about writer’s prep!

http://somewiseguy.com ThatGuyKC

I’m a big fan of writing late at night, but having to get UP at 3:00am doesn’t really lend itself to nightowl strikes of inspiration. I tend to squeeze in my writing on the bus ride to work or in bits and pieces thru notes on Evernote.

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

I used to be a night writer, but I’m trying to get up really early now. I’m learning that most of this stuff isn’t innate; it’s discipline. Nonetheless, every once in awhile I still have a streak of midnight inspiration.

http://www.ricardobueno.com Ricardo Bueno

I get some of my best writing done at night. I’ll write, then edit/publish my posts in the morning.

It was Hemingway who said: “Write drunk. Edit sober.” Not literally of course. But what I think he meant was just write. Let the words fall where they may. Write without thinking. Then, step away, take some time to yourself to refresh. Then, revisit your work and edit it to perfection.

That’s what that means to me anyway. And I’ve learned over time, that some of my best writing comes out at night.

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

Wow — fascinating quote! (Doesn’t surprise me, though.)

http://www.karisslynch.com Kariss Lynch

I think you wrote this post about me! I do my best writing/thinking at night. By that point in the day, my head is overflowing with ideas and it just spills out on the page. It is usually better than when I try to make something come that just isn’t happening in the middle of the day.

Mo Writer Pigeon

Just saw this link…and the comments. I want to encourage you budding author. Follow your heart; after all, God gave us the desires of our heart.
A friend of The Friend. Mo Pigeon Find me on Facebook, if you’re on. Merry Christ mas and Happy New Year

http://www.carlywilson.com Carly

Wow, awesome!!! So many people out there tell you to do your writing first thing in the morning but that is just not the way I like to write. I don’t necessarily wait until night time but I like to get up, have a nice breakfast, for for a walk, do my grocery shopping or chores and anything else on my to-do list before I settle in to write. I don’t like to start writing until I know I’ve got the whole rest of the day/night free to be creative!

Natasha

This is great! I’ve always wondered why I always write so much better at night. It’s not exactly the best thing for an 18 year old to do, especially when you have to rush to school the next day! I’ve always thought it was probably just my “pattern” that leads me to write better at night but this article pretty much solved it in the most logical way for me. I write best at night because by then, my mornings, afternoons and early evenings would have filled my body with inspiration. Well, duh! Now I get it! Thanks for this!

Faseeha Harthim

Hey, I’m an 18 year old nyt owl myself! What bugs me is how the whole world works against the night owls =(. Too bad I’ve got to go for classes in the early morn. But writing matters to me more. So I prefer to sleep in morning classes and get back to writing at night =).

pigeon

I found this today, this morning, when I woke up to sit down and writing. I’ve been struggling ever since I decided to making my writing time in the morning, right after I wake up. And today I confronted it: This is NOT working. I thought about how, when I go to bed at night, instead of reading or whatever, I prefer to think about my characters and scenes. I thought about how, in the morning, all I wanna do is drink my goddam coffee and read and watch shit online, receive, input, not output. I chose to work in the morning with the idea of “it’s healthier, and then I can go to bed early” and with the idea of “if I write at night, I’ll be too worked up to fall asleep.” Well maybe I need to take advantage of being worked up and excited about writing at night, even if it means I stay up until 3 am on a regular basis. Because writing in the morning feels like torture. Thanks so much for confirming my suspicions.

http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

you definitely have to find what works for you.

Joni

Another of my kind! I
agree pigeon; I became sick and tired of constantly hearing how much better it
is to create in the morning, the earlier the better. Like you, the morning is
TORTURE to me, especially if I have to work and produce what I am capable of
producing. I can only take input in the a.m. If the morning is so great, why do
I feel wonderful late at night and get so much work done? It’s a good thing
some of us are alert at night because tons of babies decide to come in the
middle of the night or emergency surgeries occur at night and police protection
is still needed at night even more so. When I used to have to work away from home,
I always looked for positions on second or third shift.

I don’t know how this
unscientific ruse came into being but it is not true. At least it is not true
for us night owls. Just like being an introvert. I got tired of others making
me feel out of the mainstream because I hate crowds and function at night. We
are not weird; we are just another version of the variation of the human
condition. We are lucky to live in a time with great technology that allows us
to complete our work at the best time for our rhythms. In my younger and more naïve
days I tried to go along with what everyone said was “best”; those days are
long gone.

Mo Pigeon

Hi Pigeon. It’s Mo Pigeon. I’m hoping that you followed your natural instincts. Even some Homing Pigeons fly at night. My father used to race ‘homers'; I know. One flew through storms that blew it waaay of course. It made it all the way from Maine, in the U.S. to us in Ontario, Canada suggesting it flew not only by day, but through the night to reach the home coop. Fly Right! Fly Write! If flying by night is your natural rythmn, why go against the way you were made. I went through the same struggle. Then I came to acceptance, and with that….great contentment and happiness and productivity. Best. Mo Pigeon.

Michelle Tucker

I thought that it was only because I was procrastinating on getting my paper done for class was the reason that I wrote at night. I do some of my best work when I type it at night and proof read in the morning and through the day. I feel that there is so much more for me to write about when I have gone through a day. This article was great, thanks for the insight.

http://www.facebook.com/christine.kylemoore Christine Kyle Moore

I do write at night, and often. My writing seems to be more honest at night. It is often hard to really examine yourself in the light of day.

Mo writer Pigeon

I LIKE that you commented that your writing seems to be more honest at night. I have noticed the same thing. I wonder if at night, when we are alone and uninterupted if our genuine self, which of course informs our writing is free of any need to please ‘the other’, to keep up ‘the survival masks’ that people adopt for day jobs, cheeriness with the neighbour, compliance with the eejit boss or whatever the day scenerio might demand? At night, the mind seems free. You caught something of the core of the issue, I think.

Writing at night right now. Just found this blog and subscribed. Hoping to grow my writerly network!

http://pasceverbo.com/ Jonathanbatteas

This is a real interesting thought. I’m not sure why I never thought about it before. When I was pursuing drawing and art, I used to draw exclusively at night. It makes sense that writing at night has the ability to be more productive, but to be honest, I have to write whenever it strikes me, or else I’ll forget it because I have a very very very short-term memory. Important thoughts are sometimes lost between breaths. That’s why a notepad and pen, or smartphone are absolutely necessary for me to complete any writing whatever. My writing day usually looks like 10 minutes here, 2 minutes there,…pull over on side of the road and take 30 sec to write that line, etc.

No wonder I can’t get anything done

TJ Edwards

I always write at night. However, finishing what I start is hard. I get distracted with new shiny ideas so quickly. I can easily slam 10 full size pages for a short story, or even further to 25. But once I’ve achieved 25 pages, I’ve begun to get new ideas. It’s like I have somehow “inceptioned” my own muse.

Sterling Powvell

I write my best at night. I actually just finsihed my first chapter!

motubatse d matlala

it is true that when you wright during the night you feel great.

Mo Pigeon

You get up with the kids…eat breakfast with them, hug them and send them off to school. THEN YOU GO BACK TO BED. Catch a few winks..and you’ll be ready to go. Greet the kids when they come home…a few hours in the evening. They go to bed, right? Give them a bedtime so that when they grow up, they’ll always resent those nighthawk night-writers who are still getting away with ‘staying up late’! After they go to bed…write the great American Novel. Someone’s got to dot it! Why not you? Best. Happy New Year.

Laugherylifesolutions

How does sleeping in to 10am fit with having a family?

Bonnie belle

nope, doesn’t. send kid to creche for morning and nap then. or nap when they nap. snatch sleep everywhere whenever you can. then pop them off for night sleep and crack on.

Joe Niemczura

I wrote my first book between the hours of 0500 and 0800. I agree wholeheartedly with what you are saying here.

Anna Hoener

Wow! Super posting! After reading this, I am feeling rather redeemed. I always wrote at night, but I was told that was due to lack of discipline and general procrastination. But it always felt more natural.

Sukie’s Chores

I felt the same way.

Mo Writer Pigeon. Author

Please note: The following is to be read, as it was written; with a light-hearted, satirical tone of amusement. There is no genuine rancor in my heart for ‘morning people’. Although they can be strangely annoying. Chuckle. Okay; here we go:

Have you ever noticed how people who get up early are SO DARNED PROUD OF THEMSELVES?

“I got up at 6 a.m. today so…” and then they complete the sentence with a rationalization about why they won’t be participating in life after supper.
The “I got up at 6 a.m…..7 a.m….(whoopee) or 5 a.m…” part of the sentence,
usually seems to have a very righteous tone to it; as if people who get up early and are in bed by 8 p.m., are spiritually more superior than NIGHTHAWKS. Why would folks assume that a = b in this case?

Why are nighthawks so often subtly disapproved of by the ‘morning people’? It’s as if the early risers assume themselves to be naturally superior to nighthawks, just because they are in their pajama’s with their faces scrubbed by 7:30 at night?

“Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” Maybe; if you’re an organic farmer. Lots of late night writers ended up healthy, wealthy and wise. Well, except for all those famous dead, white writer-guys who were brilliant, but also unapologetic boozers with messed up personal lives. You know: Faulkner, Steinbeck, Mowatt, etcetera. Except for those guys, some of who knocked themselves off, or died of alcoholism. They weren’t healthy. But the rest of we nighthawks are not all boozehounds with no love , wisdom or pennies in our lives! Some writers make more than folks who work 40-50 hours a week their entire adult life.

I can think of ONE anyway. J. K. Rowlings!! Uh…is her middle initial ‘K’? See…you’re only famous for a minutes, but she’ll still be rich. And she wrote through the night sometimes. So why do morning doves look down their beaks at we night hawks? Well, I think I have an answer:
It’s ENVY, I tell you! They are jeolous of and resent those of us who are ‘getting away with it’. In every adult there is an inner child who wants to ‘stay up later’!

“Just five more minutes? Please Dad?”

“Mommy! Can I get a drink of water?” Anything, when you’re a kid to stay awake a few more minutes.

And here are the writers, pecking away at our keys into the late night and wee morning hours…staying up waaaay past our curfews! HA!

Mo Pigeon. A recalcitrant night turtle-dove!

http://pickadirectionandgo.blogspot.com/ mickholt

I fell in love with the “graveyard” many years ago while working for Kinko’s. If it were not for the family I would still be doing something during those hours besides sleeping. As it is, I am still often up late or early enough that it was like staying up all night.

Eric

Hey Jeff,
Good thoughts here. I’m working on the 3am to 6 shift. I’m a morning person and my brain is fuzz late at night. But I wake up with it clicking like a ticker tape.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Eric Deeter

Tori Scott

I almost always write at night. Occasionally I’ll do a few pages during the day, but only if inspiration strikes and I need to get the words down. I usually start writing around midnight and write until 4 a.m., though I have been known to still be writing when the sun comes up.

Christine Ashworth

This is full of awesome. I work an 8 – 5 job. Sometimes the only time to write is from 2am to 4am, when I have insomnia. Weekends (after gardening, eating, enjoying the family) are also good writing times. But by 10:30pm, I’m usually asleep…but I will look at changing my schedule…

Anonymous

Whenever I write at night, I always go to sleep, wake up and read It and then realise its rubbish.

Sukie’s Chores

I am increasingly finding that doing an all nighter each week, certainly seems to work better for me. I don’t edit or re-read through my stuff – I do that when I’m rested. I don’t know why, there’s something in it that just helps me get it done. It’s now 5.42am I’m shattered, but I feel somehow, the 7am deadline I’ve given myself, makes me far more productive.

The distractions are fewer, no-one is around on the forums I frequent, the online newspapers slowdown and the only emails I get are junk I get to rest during the day. There’s nothing like that 6 am feeling.

I don’t know if it’s any good for you, but I guess it’s working for me at the moment

May

I have always been a night owl, and I find a lot of my thoughts come rushing into my head between 11:00 pm to bedtime.
Anyway, this was most significant during my middle school. I had a crush on a boy in my class, and every night, I would think of the details of that day about his glances or smiles, his talks and his acts, and I would think of various evident proving that he likes me too. I would also think about how I could give him to understand that I like him, and what we could do if we were a couple.

As the chores in middle school are not that heavy (I am a Chinese student, so you can imagine the pressure of everyday studies we have), I kept a journal in which I wrote about my thoughts and emotional changes, my dreams and everyday excitements. And I would write it almost everyday after I finished my homework, and before bed. I think maybe it’s because life in middle school was so fascinating that I had so much to write about, and it’s because at night I can really think about my feelings and write about it with a secret smile that nobody has to see.

Now I am a high school student applying for a university in the U.S, and I choose this time of night to write my essays. I still occasionally read my middle school diaries( I stop writing diaries after I went on to high school) and it feels great to experience all that feeling again as what I had written in late nights so vivid and so honest.

Suzanne

I LOVE writing at night! Like you said, it is my most creative and most productive time of day. Part of it (I think, anyway) is that I’m so tired that my normal perfectionistic inhibitions are gone, so I can just put down whatever is in my head at the moment. That’s also why I write when I’m sick. And you know what? Usually that ‘word vomit’ is some pretty brilliant stuff. Funny how that works.

I definitely agree. It’s actually a lot easier for me to write in the evening because my mind us not on food. I just can’t get anything done on an empty stomach.

http://thelazywriteronline.com Carolyn

Amazing. I knew I was right. I do have a tendency to misspell and repeat words, but that’s why you never do a final draft at night! I agree though: I am much more eloquent and create better content at night.

Bahamut5098

My best time of the day is the morning after breakfast. I simply don’t write well at night. Ideas are fresh to me more in the morning than at night.

Tack on the fact that I work in TV where your shift is always changing. I am slowly working my way into a 5am-1pm shift, which would most likely force me to write in the afternoon.

To be honest, I don’t believe there’s a right time that fits everyone. It has to be a time you can be comfortable with. I find setting a schedule day after day to write works better. Yes, I am one of those schedule freaks.

Lindsey

I’m just so much more relaxed at night. Less fidgety, more focused, and less likely to get distracted.

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